The Bears introduce an Appreciation Event for their Fans.
On Wednesday, the Chicago Bears unveiled an engaging digital initiative as a tribute to their dedicated fanbase, celebrating them as some of the most passionate supporters in sports. This special digital experience was launched in anticipation of the upcoming Fan Appreciation game against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field on Sunday.
Starting from Week 1 of the season, the ChicagoBears.com team engaged with fans regularly, posing the question, "What makes you a Chicago Bear?" Their objective was to highlight the remarkable diversity, loyalty, and enthusiasm of the Bears' fan community.
Pooja Van Dyke, the Bears' director of digital media, emphasized that being a Chicago Bears fan transcends mere love for football. It embodies values of community, family, and tradition. The initiative aimed to recognize and express gratitude to the fans, showcasing the profound significance of being a part of the Chicago Bears family.
Van Dyke shared her personal connection to the Bears, describing how sports, particularly the Bears, served as a universal language that facilitated connections among her immigrant parents and their neighbors and colleagues. This shared passion for the team inspired the creation of the "Thank You Fans" tribute.
The Bears' digital team engaged with fans both at Soldier Field and during away games in various cities, including Tampa and Los Angeles. They captured Polaroid photos of fans who participated, featuring their handwritten responses, which are integrated into the digital experience.
Fans were also invited to share their stories through a "Question of the Day" feature, accessible via push notifications and the Chicago Bears Official App presented by Verizon. These questions covered topics such as game-day traditions, the origins of their Bears fandom, favorite players, and more.
Notably, Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey, President & CEO Kevin Warren, and alumni like Devin Hester, Roberto Garza, and Willie Gault contributed to the project, sharing their personal connections to Chicago and the Bears.
Here are a few heartfelt reflections from fans about what it means to them to be a Chicago Bear:
- Christopher Jermal: "To me, being a Chicago Bear means you're representing the City of Broad Shoulders. It means you're strong, honest, hard-working, blue-collared, hard-nosed, and you're giving your all."
- Lana Frausto: "It's really the unity that all true Bears fans have You're in it. You're in it for life. You're not in it for like, 'Oh, I win one season, I lose one season.' You're always a Bears fan."
- Carol and Jeff Secord: "I was a Bears fan as a little kid. I would watch them in black and white TV, and I've loved them ever since. And my dream was to be a Season Ticket Holder, which we were able to accomplish in 2002."
To explore the full 2023 Thank You Fans digital experience by the Chicago Bears, visit https://thankyoufans.chicagobears.com/.
| POLL | ||
27 DECEMBRE | 54 ANSWERS The Bears introduce an Appreciation Event for their Fans. Will the Bears win a Super Bowl in the next 5 seasons? | ||
| Yes | 38 | 70.4 % |
| no | 16 | 29.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
